Sugarplums Cupcakery owner Patty Hannika told The Enquirer Wednesday the recent death of her husband, Randy Hannika, forced the popular Mason bakery's closure.

Randy Hannika, a former car salesman, died Feb. 18. The Miami Township couple had been married for more than 35 years.

"The lease was up in 2 months from that date and we were in the process of looking for a new location. Rather, I had to use monies as he had no life insurance and left behind a lot of medical bills," Patty Hannika said.

Patty Hannika, a former paralegal, launched the family business online in 2005 after she had to leave her full-time paralegal job to care for her husband, who'd suffered a string of heart attacks and strokes since 1996.

But business picked up after a customer shipped one of her cakes to California. Not long after, she received an invitation for her cakes and cookies to be featured in the 2009 Emmy gift suites -- the annual gift extravaganza for Emmy nominees, presenters and television executives.

The Staff at Sugarplums Cupcakery in Mason, front Patty Hannika , left to right Eric Marlar, Bernadette Back , Tori Root and Kelley Snape.(Photo: (Photo by Tony Tribble))

Emboldened by her success, Patty Hannika opened her first brick-and-mortar store in Clermont County's Miami Township in 2009, followed by a satellite location in Mason. As demand for her cupcakes grew, she moved full operations to an expanded space in Mason at 6209 Snider Road.

Business got another boost last year when Delaware North Sportsservice, the exclusive concessions, premium dining and retail provider for Great American Ball Park, contracted with SugarPlums to provide its cupcakes in private suites and at markets at the ball park.

Cupcakes are still on the menu at the ball park, provided fresh from Gigi's Cupcakes in Kenwood, Delaware North spokesman Glen White said.

Patty Hannika's son, Dan Anderson, said his mother had to close the bakery earlier this year to be at his stepfather's side; he entered hospice last year and required full-time care.

"With him being in hospice care and her having to shut down, it hurt her mentally as well as financially," said Anderson of Bethel. "If you don't have insurance, it kills you."

Anderson launched an online fundraiser in February to help Patty Hannika with funeral expenses and medical bills. The effort raised more than $2,500 in one month.

"He was a great person, a hard worker, funny, good to be around," Anderson said. "He was just one of those guys you remember."

News of the closure comes as a blow to Sugarplums fans, who say they'll miss the bakery's unique flavors like pomegranate cherry, triple chocolate suicide and French toast with candied bacon.

Patty Hannika said she appreciates the support of her customers, who became like family. She's looking for a buyer for the bakery to continue both its recipes and reputation.

Before her husband's death, Patty Hannika said he asked his family to promise him they would "share the sweet life" again, referring to the shop's slogan.

"Although it may not be a cupcakery, we intend to do exactly that," she said.